Elijah the Prophet is the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition’s 2010/11 winning screenplay that tells the comedic story of Elijah: the pious, chummy… and alcoholic prophet, whose yearly antics have graced Jewish households for ages. Unfortunately for the childlike servant of God, not everyone understands drunk driving is, for him, a divine right, and he soon ends up in trouble with the law.

Who's Involved?

Elijah the Prophet will be the culmination of the hard work of numerous talented film and television professionals, including, but not limited to:

Producer: David Cormican (Founder of CSSC and Head of Development / Executive Producer for Minds Eye Entertainment, Executive Produced $15M Faces in the Crowd w/Milla Jovovich and Michael Shanks, $19M The Tall Man w/Jessica Biel and Stephen McHattie and currently working on a $3.4M zombie slasher film 13 Eerie with Oscar winner and Director Roger Christian (Alien, Star Wars, Battlefield Earth))

Director:James Cooper (His last short film, Trigger, played a half dozen film festivals across North America)

Picture Editor:Laurence Cohen (edited and directed films that have premiered at Cannes, Worldwide Short Film Festival as well as many others, also worked on the vfx for Thor, Captain America: First Avenger and Gulliver’s Travels)

Elijah:Brian Markinson (Gemini and Leo nominee, previous credits include major roles in the feature films Charlie Wilson’s War, Shooter & City of Angels as well as lead roles in TV Shows like Caprica & Shattered, and a supporting role in The L Word)

Officer Murphy:Melanie Nicholls-King (credits include a major role in the hit drama Rookie Blue as well as a supporting role on HBO’s The Wire)

Jackie:Tonya Lee Williams (Two time Daytime Emmy nominee known for her work in The Border, Poor Boy's Game, She's the Mayor and Young and the Restless)

Making a film is an expensive endeavor, even a short one. While many short films are created on a dime by small groups of friends, with Elijah the Prophet we want to make something special that will stand out amongst the swarm of other short films being produced. This means getting the best people we can for as many positions we can fill.

Thankfully, we have already been able to secure roughly half of our $40,000.00 budget. We’ve also managed to snag incredibly talented individuals (see above) at drastically discounted rates based on the strength of the script and our vision for the finished project. We hope you will take their involvement as a sign of everyone's passion for the film and put your faith in us as they have to bring this film to fruition.

Unlike a feature film, which is a financial endeavor, short films are artistic endeavors with little-to-no chance to make a profit. They are most often the work of passionate individuals who come together to tell a story. That is the case with us here, and that is why we're asking for your help.

So How Does This Work, Exactly?

Kickstarter allows creative individuals to "crowd source" (raise money from a bunch of smaller donations, vs. the usual route of getting bulk investments from financiers) for projects, while simultaneously building an audience specific to the project. See a project you like and want to see it completed? You can donate to help make that happen, and depending on how much you donate, you get cool stuff in exchange (check out our incentives on the right).

If we reach our funding goal, everyone cheers, we get to make our film, and you get your awesome incentives (and my Mom will be very proud). However, if we don't meet our goal, no one gets charged, and we're left back at square one. We sincerely hope that doesn't happen, but it does act as a fail-safe for you: you can pledge knowing that we won't get your money unless the project happens! Not bad, right?

Rarely, but sometimes, projects are able to raise more money than they initially ask for. If we surpass our original goal of $20,000, we intend to use any extra money toward increased production value in the film and some extra care and attention towards festival marketing and submission fees.

In Closing...

Everyone involved in Elijah the Prophet is passionate about the possibilities the finished project has for audiences across the world, be they Jewish or otherwise. Our Director says, "One of the ways the script succeeds the most is in its ability to be relevant and easy to understand for people not familiar with Passover. I was able to catch on immediately and was in on the joke without having a 'wait, what?' moment."

We hope we've been able to convince you to part with a few hard earned dollars, but even if you can't afford to donate, you can still help us by getting the word out to any friends, family or enemies you know who might be interested in kicking in a few shekels.

Thank you so much for taking the time to check out our project! Be sure to follow us on Twitter, hit us up on Facebook, and check out our blog at:

FAQ

Support this project

Select this reward

Pledge $5 or more
About $5

Disciple!
The warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing you're helping a passionate group of filmmakers create a high quality film. We'll also include your name under "Kickstarter Supporters" on the film's website.

As well, your support will be acknowledged on the film’s page located on the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition’s website: www.screenplay-contest.com.

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Pledge $15 or more
About $15

Bubbeleh!
Includes the above incentive and a PDF of "The Art of Elijah the Prophet" featuring concept art, character designs and storyboards by indie comic illustrator Dave Franciosa. You will also get complimentary PDF eBooks of Volume’s I, II & III of the CSSC’s top three winning scripts since 2008, including 2010/11’s 1st place winner, ELIJAH THE PROPHET.

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Pledge $25 or more
About $25

Zeiskeit!
Includes the above incentives and access to an exclusive behind-the-scenes blog that will feature updates, production photos, etc. from the cast and crew before, during and after principle photography. Also, get a mp3 download of the film's soundtrack including the hit song “Lazy Man” by soundtrack contributor and recording artist Olds Sleeper.

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Pledge $30 or more
About $30

Limited Edition: Get a complimentary entry to the Canadian Short Screenplay Competition. That's cheaper than entering directly, and as a bonus, you're helping support independent Canadian film. What's not to love?

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Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Mishpacha!
Includes the above incentives and a Digital Download of ELIJAH THE PROPHET, a Special Edition PDF digital download of all copies and drafts of the ELIJAH THE PROPHET screenplay, a limited edition ELIJAH THE PROPHET postcard with a personalized thank you note from the filmmakers and your name in the Special Thanks portion of our credits.

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Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Landsman!

Includes the above incentives, plus a Special Edition DVD (includes the film ELIJAH THE PROPHET, as well as behind-the-scene docs, interviews and commentaries not available elsewhere), plus an exclusive signed and numbered one-of-a-kind on-set production polaroid/still capturing the hilarity and antics of the cast and crew, in addition to a digital download of the entire ELIJAH THE PROPHET scrapbook collection featuring ALL of the on-set stills!

Also, a hard copy of the screenplay, signed by the writers: Zach & Jesse Herrmann, and if you email us a picture of yourself, concept artist Dave Franciosa will draw a picture of you as a Prophet!

Plus, one (1) complimentary entry to the 2011/12 CSSC (valued at up to $75.00 and must be used before January 31st, 2012). (CSSC entry is transferable to another family member or friend that is a screenwriter).

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Pledge $312 or more
About $312

Limited Edition Incentive! - Get an original commissioned portrait painting (12x16 canvas) from our talented concept artist, Dave Franciosa. You pick the subject, he does the rest! Only two available, so get 'em while they're hot.

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Pledge $500 or more
About $500

Gadol Hador!
All the above incentives, plus Two (2) tickets to the official world premiere of ELIJAH THE PROPHET, after which the filmmakers will happily buy you a celebratory drink. Maybe two. Mazel Tov! (Travel and accommodation not included).

In addition, David Cormican will personally read and provide coverage for any one (1) screenplay (short or feature film script up to 120 pages). (Transferable to other family members or friends that may be budding screenwriters).

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Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

All the above incentives, plus get a limited edition ELIJAH THE PROPHET bobble head AND become an Associate Producer! IMDb credit, access to festival screenings as an official part of the crew (including parties - fancy!), and the ability to see the film before the public in a private $1000+ pledger screening. (Travel and accommodation not included).

Also, in addition to the script coverage provided in the previous pledge level, David Cormican will provide a 45-minute phone (or Skype) consultation to discuss further development/next steps on your film project/script or just to kvetch. (Transferable to other family members or friends that may be budding filmmakers).

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Pledge $3,000 or more
About $3,000

Prophet!
All the above incentives, plus at this pledge level, you become a Co-Producer on the film, which means IMDb credit, access to festival screenings as an official part of the crew (including parties - fancy!), on-set visitation privileges (Travel and accommodation not included).

You will also get a special edition flask engraved with a line of dialogue from the film (your choice between the following Elijah spewed classics):
“Only in between every other breath.”
“Quiet please. I’m conjuring lightning.”
“You are messing with some serious Old Testament shit.”

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

Messiah! - You're now an Executive Producer!
Corporate sponsorship/client level includes all the above incentives, plus: Have your product (supplied by you) prominently featured in the film! (Must fit within the context of the script and not detract from the story).

In addition, you (or your company) will receive "Produced in Association With" in the film’s credits section along with up to maximum Two (2) Executive Producer credits on a shared card in the credits, plus all the above incentives.

You will also be included in viewing in-progress rough cuts of the film via FTP or secure online screening, your company logo featured in the tail credits of the film and on all print material related to the release of the film, including The Art of Elijah the Prophet.

You will be mentioned in all press releases associated with the film, and we will happily mention you in all filmmaker talkbacks or Q&As where permissible.

We will also list your graphic logo and hyperlink to your company’s website under the sponsorship and partners page on the official CSSC website for 1 year minimum and permanently on the ELIJAH THE PROPHET dedicated page.

You will also be entitled to a walk-on role for you or one member of your family (Travel and accommodation not included).

Last but not least, you will be eligible for a market badge at both the Cannes Film Festival (Cannes France, May) and Worldwide Short Film Festival (Toronto, June). (Travel and accommodation not included)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

The Answer to Our Prayers!
All the above incentives, plus become a Producer! We’ll schlepp you to Toronto for the filming of ELIJAH THE PROPHET. This includes One (1) round trip economy airfare from anywhere in North America to Toronto, ON plus 2-3 nights accommodation in downtown Toronto, ON in the historic and charming Distillery District to attend the filming of ELIJAH THE PROPHET.

Plus, you will get to attend dinner with the filmmakers in Toronto’s Distillery District the night before filming. It is not wise to go filming on an empty stomach, you know... L’Chaim!